Your Guide to Clean Burning
Welcome to Candle and Herb! If you’re here, you’re likely searching for a cleaner, safer, and more natural home fragrance option. You’ve probably heard of soy wax candles, but you have questions. We’re here to give you straightforward answers about your health, your home, and how to get the most from your investment in natural fragrance.
1. Are soy wax candles safe and non-toxic?
The short answer:
Yes, soy wax candles are generally considered safe and non-toxic.
The deep dive:
Unlike traditional paraffin wax (which is a petroleum byproduct and can release petrochemical soot), soy wax is 100% natural. It is derived from soybeans, a renewable source. This means our clean burning candles contain no harsh chemicals, ensuring a healthier environment for you, your family, and your pets. At Candle and Herb, our commitment to natural ingredients is why we choose soy every time.
2. Do soy wax candles have a strong scent throw?
The short answer:
Absolutely, yes! When crafted correctly! Soy wax candles can deliver a strong, authentic scent.
The deep dive:
It's a myth that soy wax smells weak. While it holds and releases fragrance differently than paraffin, premium, high-quality soy wax candles offer a more authentic and true-to-life aroma (think less synthetic, more herb garden and kitchen spices). We carefully curate our wicks and fragrance oils at Candle and Herb to ensure that scents like Spiced Orchard or Crème Brûlée Dream fill your space beautifully without being overwhelming.
3. Why do my soy wax candles get sooty or smoky?
The short answer:
Sooting is caused by a wick that is too long, not the wax itself.
The fix (The rule to live by):
To ensure a clean burning candle, you must trim the wick to about 1/4 inch before every single burn. A wick that is too long creates a mushroom cap, which leads to a larger flame, excess smoke, and black soot. Follow this simple soy candle care tip for a perfect, clean burn every time.
4. How long should I burn a soy candle for?
The short answer:
Always allow the wax pool to reach the very edge of the container on the very first burn (this is called the "memory burn").
The why:
Soy wax has a "burn memory." If you extinguish the flame too early on the first burn, the candle will tunnel (creating a hole down the middle) and waste wax for the rest of its life. For most of our Candle and Herb jars, the initial burn will take 2 - 4 hours to melt evenly across the surface. Dedicate that time to relaxation!
5. Are soy wax candles vegan and cruelty-free?
The short answer:
Soy wax is naturally derived from soybeans, making the wax itself vegan.
The deep dive:
However, always check the entire ingredient list. At Candle and Herb, our commitment goes deeper: we use vegan soy wax and ensure our fragrance oils are phthalate-free and cruelty-free. When you choose us, you are supporting a business that values both your well-being and ethical sourcing.
Now that you know the truth behind clean burning candles, it's time to elevate your home atmosphere. At Candle and Herb, we hand-pour every candle with these principles in mind, delivering authentic scents and a truly healthy burn.
Ready to find your moment of calm?
Shop our best-selling natural soy wax candles
